I got a lot of stick for this thread back in August. As a defender myself I knew how good he has been over the past year. He just wasn't getting the plaudits. I'm glad unanimously most are regarding him as the best in the league now.
Is Smalling the best defender in the league?
- Thread starter Andy_Cole
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For me yes, I wouldn't want any other defender in the league over him.
I can understand why Arsene was so keen to get him, a pairing of Kosc & Smalling would rival top CB pairings in the world.
I can understand why Arsene was so keen to get him, a pairing of Kosc & Smalling would rival top CB pairings in the world.
Wow I didn't know he turned down Boro for Maidstone.
Currently yes. But then Jamie Vardy is currently the best striker in the league (on form)
Can change in an instant so excuse my pessism if i don't get too excited.
Can change in an instant so excuse my pessism if i don't get too excited.
Chris Smalling on current form is certainly up there with the best. I would say Koscielny, Otamendi, Kompany and Smalling are the 4 best for me - with Kompany the weakest due to his constant injury concerns (he has missed 10 or more matches in the League in each of his 3 last seasons - and probably will this season as well).
I think if United manage to win the league and thats a big if, Smalling will have been one of the key players. But lets wait and see how the season pans out. He is definitely a lot better now than he was 3 years ago.
He's been playing really well for a year now. When does it stop being a patch of good form and people actually recognize the player is good?
He's definitely progressing with every game and what's more impressive is that he's been switched to the left and has a new partner.
I'm still not sure it's right to play Smalling at LCB to accommodate Jones but hey if he's doing OK that's all that matters. I think with Jones in the side it should be him who's played on the left and allow Smalling to continue in the role he's made his own.
I guess it speaks volumes that LVG trusts Smalling to move across whilst not really trusting Jones. But surely you play your best players in their best position? And if needs be accommodate others around that.
I've only seen Smalling play on the left in the CSKA and City game but he doesn't look as comfortable on the ball. Which is completely fair enough but he was really starting to build attacks and step in to midfield.
I'm still not sure it's right to play Smalling at LCB to accommodate Jones but hey if he's doing OK that's all that matters. I think with Jones in the side it should be him who's played on the left and allow Smalling to continue in the role he's made his own.
I guess it speaks volumes that LVG trusts Smalling to move across whilst not really trusting Jones. But surely you play your best players in their best position? And if needs be accommodate others around that.
I've only seen Smalling play on the left in the CSKA and City game but he doesn't look as comfortable on the ball. Which is completely fair enough but he was really starting to build attacks and step in to midfield.
Reminds me so much of Rio in his prime, quick, strong, great header and seems to be a brilliant leader of the back four. In my opinion he certainly is the best defender in the league.
Smalling was rated with potential to be a top defender when we signed him and his current form is as much a sign of him fulfilling that potential. Vardy is a player on great form, period.
He's doing very well and looking the part but is getting fantastic protection from our midfield that shouldn't be missed. But he's a shoe in for PFA team of the year on current form. Quite a bit to go to reach Rio level but certainly a start. Our best centre back by a mile and would get a game for any of the top 4.
I didn't know that either. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but unless he knew Fulham were interested (or some other PL or Championship team), that seems crazy.
Obviously not. I've had Liverpool fans telling me he is shit and always makes mistakes. It is actually Sakho who is the best defender in the league. And who am i to argue, Liverpool fans are the most knowledgeable fans around right?
He actually signed a contract with Middlesborough then realised he didn't want to move there
He was snapped up by Fulham pretty soon after though.In my mind he's our club captain now. He's our most consistent outfield player and leads by example on the pitch. Also seems to be doing most of the media interviews now. Mikes a good'n.
Noticed that too. Obviously being groomed for the role. Should just give it to him now.
Add to that his tendency for rash challenges. The yellow he got for the stupid tackle on Martial in the derby summarises Kompany pretty well. Smalling, aside from that one moment against City, has shown levels of composure that are really impressive considering his age.
Nah, you played up front Andy lad
I had doubts about him but they were completely groundless. He's the best.
Or is he just the main benefactor from the team set up and gameplan which in another thread is being ridiculed....
Can we change the thread title to best in the world now?
I second that, he should definitely be talked about as a top tier defender now.
Fantastic yet again. Saved De Gea's arse when he cleared that spilled cross.
You were very vehement in your anger at me disagreeing with the consensus here. You have since been proven very wrong.
It's good that you've jumped the United bandwagon this season, great timing as we're on the way upAs you've missed the last few seasons, you'll have to take our word it's not just 10 matches.
Are you serious?
Just wondering, what do ye all think of Smalling and how he is performing now?
Seriously though, I'm at the stage where I am quite sure he isn't good or reliable enough to be a starter at United - a quality backup though. Just wanting to gauge what the general consensus is on this? Better or worse than Wes Brown? Could he return to his past run of form?
Cheers.
feck sake. A lot can happen in two years Oh ffs.....
Life comes at you fast
Sell him to Arsenal pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
"I told you so"
Ridiculous bump of a thread.
Ridiculous bump of a thread.
Yeah, in this season's form he doesn't deserve to start. Get back playing like he was at the start of last season and I still maintain it'd be hard to buy anyone better. Not that there isn't better but that their clubs wouldn't sell for any price.You were very vehement in your anger at me disagreeing with the consensus here. You have since been proven very wrong.
Just wondering, what do ye all think of Smalling and how he is performing now?
Seriously though, I'm at the stage where I am quite sure he isn't good or reliable enough to be a starter at United - a quality backup though. Just wanting to gauge what the general consensus is on this? Better or worse than Wes Brown? Could he return to his past run of form?
Cheers.
What a bump though
His great progression hit an absolute halt this season. You can see it stylistically in his play also -- if you watch Smalling in his earlier seasons contrasted to now, he was nowhere near this rash. He was all about using his pace, standing tackle and generally intercepting play before he needed to dive in or grab an opponent. I feel like now that he has senses of his own strength and pace, he has become innately lazy and just 'Srktel-shoves', or pushes really close to his forward to intercept quickly because he knows it's unlikely the striker will turn him and win a footrace.Just wondering, what do ye all think of Smalling and how he is performing now?
As a result, he's sort of reached a plateau in his abilities, yet I think he's too 'matured' in this style to go back. As a result, I see him as a very good first team option - his aerial ability isn't matched by many.
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FWIW, his current standing has significantly lessened in fans minds down to vilification from his manager - it has become commonplace to see him as this wuss who doesn't want to give it all for the team etc. despite playing the most outfield games for us last season.
At the risk of sounding a bit crackpot, I think he has definitely played through an injury or two down to the above, and that is affecting his performance levels. We know that for a fact against Chelsea earlier this season, for instance.
feck off.
Pathetic bump.He has at times shown real quality over the years. And at times he has looked like one of the leagues better defendersYou were very vehement in your anger at me disagreeing with the consensus here. You have since been proven very wrong.
Just wondering, what do ye all think of Smalling and how he is performing now?
Seriously though, I'm at the stage where I am quite sure he isn't good or reliable enough to be a starter at United - a quality backup though. Just wanting to gauge what the general consensus is on this? Better or worse than Wes Brown? Could he return to his past run of form?
Cheers.
Now is not one of those times, and looking now he just isnt consistent enough. Don't think it deserves much gloating though
Agree, he was voted players player of the year that season so not sure what this proves.
Yes, I agree - your posts, which added nothing to this discussion, are quite, quite pathetic.
I was trying to drum up some new discussion and have a bit of a laugh.
Cop on and grow up, both of you.
I note that you don't actually quote what I say here, and, in fact, completely make up my words. Do you work for the Sun?
Cop on.
True. I don't think there's no hope for him though. He could start the EL final yet!Is this sarcasm or serious??
I wonder what he would sell for if Mou did try to cash in now.Yeah, in this season's form he doesn't deserve to start. Get back playing like he was at the start of last season and I still maintain it'd be hard to buy anyone better. Not that there isn't better but that their clubs wouldn't sell for any price.
What a bump though
Cheer for the good response. I am a little confused though - you're saying he has become a bit rash/lazy, but a a result you DO see him as a good first-team option, or is that a mistake?
Good point re villification from the manager/playing a lot of outfield games last season, and re injuries. Hard to know if Mourinho has been fair there - we don't really have the insight, and won't until an autobiography comes out in a few years
.There's already a thread for discussing the player. Check out the player performances forum. Bumping old threads in order to say 'I told you so' regarding how a player performed two years ago based on now is pathetic, no two ways about it. Sorry to have to be the one to tell you.
Did the post really need quoting? We're being humiliated in a live game and you're more interested in one upmanship.
Well done @Reapersoul20
Well done @Reapersoul20
I think the shortcomings in his game that have resulted in him becoming quite rash limit him to being no more than a mere first team squad option. At his best, he's a very good player - certainly not someone who should be first on the departure list or anything.Cheer for the good response. I am a little confused though - you're saying he has become a bit rash/lazy, but a a result you DO see him as a good first-team option, or is that a mistake?
Good point re villification from the manager/playing a lot of outfield games last season, and re injuries. Hard to know if Mourinho has been fair there - we don't really have the insight, and won't until an autobiography comes out in a few years
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